Arsenal news: Player Mikel Arteta loves tipped to leave as flurry of stars told they'll be sold

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After getting back on track in the Premier League title race, Arsenal's focus before the weekend is set on the Champions League draw. The Gunners demolished Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 last Sunday to restore their five-point lead over Manchester City .

The victory came after consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolves with some members of the fanbase beginning to question how well Mikel Arteta's side could handle the pressure of being the front-runners.

However, claiming bragging rights in north London for the second time this season ended those fears. Ahead of their home clash against Chelsea this Sunday, the Gunners will find out who they will face in the Champions League last-16 when the draw takes places on Friday .

Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news surrounding the Gunners, including the respective futures of several Arsenal stars.

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Arsenal's impressive squad depth is a key reason behind their title charge. But what can come with numerous top players fighting it out for a spot in the starting XI is possible unhappiness at their lack of action.

Gabriel Jesus has started just six games across all competitions since his return from injury in December and Gunners icon Ray Parlour believes his time in north London could come to a close at the end of the season.

He told Metro : "I think Jesus might leave at the end of the season, he is at that age where he wants to be playing week in, week out. We could lose him.

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"We had four strikers when I played. That’s what I don’t understand. (Regardless of Jesus leaving), bring in another one anyway. That can give the other options a lift because they see the standard being set."

Arteta is known to be a big fan of Jesus, having previously said of the star: "I love his mentality. It doesn’t matter how long he plays, when he plays, in which position, he always gives absolutely everything."

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It's in midfield and out wide positions that Arsenal have the most competition for places. That fight for game-time could result in an exodus of numerous big stars, according to former Gunners hero Perry Groves.

Arteta has already sent Ethan Nwaneri out on loan to Marseille last month, while captain Martin Odegaard's place is not untouchable - as shown by Eberechi Eze's brace against Spurs on Sunday who has had his own troubles breaking into the team.

Groves believes the emergence of Max Dowman and the continuing influx of talent could lead to some of Arsenal's more established stars opting to leave. "The thing is though, you won’t have to fit them all in," Groves told talkSPORT responding to a claim about how Arsenal can incorporate all of their stars in the starting XI.

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"Because there will be a few that will be gone at the end of the season. The squad is that strong, and there will be new faces that come in, so there will be a few that will be surplus to requirements."

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